Search for Alliance Partners Continues

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) DPP Puan Maharani (left) together with the Chairperson of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar made a joint pilgrimage to the grave of the late MPR Chair Taufiq Kiemas, Puan Maharani's father, at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, Jakarta, on Sunday ( 25/9/2022).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The search for allies to partner with in the 2024 Presidential Election continues. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) have sent signals that they will form an alliance after the meeting between PDI-P executive Puan Maharani and PKB chairman Muhaimin Iskandar.

On Sunday (9/25/2022), Puan and Muhaimin visited the grave of Puan's father Taufiq Kiemas, a former chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta. After visiting the grave for around 30 minutes, the two ate nasi pecel (steamed vegetables mixed with peanut sauce on rice) together at a food stall outside the cemetery. Puan also presented Muhaimin with a surprise birthday cake to mark his 56th birthday, which fell on Saturday (24/9).

When Muhaimin was a student, Taufiq once paid his tuition fees and gave him money when he wanted to propose to his wife.

According to Puan, she and Muhaimin have a close relationship, like a sister and brother. Puan and Muhaimin said that they were both raised by Taufiq Kiemas, with Muhaimin even saying that Taufiq was like his real father. When Muhaimin was a student, Taufiq once paid his tuition fees and gave him money when he wanted to propose to his wife.

Their friendship continues to this day and it is possible that their closeness will lead the PDI-P and PKB to forming an alliance in the 2024 presidential election.

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“It is possible to form an alliance. Nothing is impossible in politics. Just being able to meet like this can also be a sign that there may be other dynamics in the future,” said Puan, who is also Speaker the House of Representatives (DPR).

Meanwhile, Muhaimin said he would continue to support Puan, including praying for her to become president. Muhaimin also joked about his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election after Puan gave him the birthday cake.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) DPP Puan Maharani (left) together with the Chairperson of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar made a joint pilgrimage to the grave of the late MPR Chair Taufiq Kiemas, Puan Maharani's father, at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, Jakarta, on Sunday ( 25/9/2022).

"Hopefully, her prayers will be answered and I will at least become vice president," he said.

Please ask Prabowo

However, Muhaimin, who is also DPR deputy chairman, emphasized that the agreement with the PKB on forming an alliance to back a presidential pair must first be communicated with Gerindra chairman Prabowo Subianto.

"Well then, ask Pak Prabowo first. However, it is still a long way to go. We'll have to test it later, Pak Prabowo-Cak Imin, Puan-Cak Imin [presidential pairs], then who else, which one is stronger," said Muhaimin.

Meanwhile, Puan reiterated that the decision on the PDI-P presidential nominees rested with PDI-P chair Megawati Soekarnoputri.

One of the terms of the alliance’s agreement is to jointly put forth a candidate pair.

On 13 Aug., Gerindra and PKB announced that they had formed an alliance. One of the terms of the alliance’s agreement is to jointly put forth a candidate pair.

However, the two parties have been undecided until now; likewise the PDI-P, which can nominate its own candidates for the 2024 presidential election. Even though it is already eligible to put forth a presidential ticket, the PDI-P is still trying to form an alliance with other political parties.

Prior to meeting Muhaimin, Puan met with NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh as well as Prabowo Subianto.

KOMPAS/NIKOLAUS HARBOWO

Chairman of the National Mandate Party Zulkifli Hasan visits Nasdem Party Chairman Surya Paloh at the Nasdem DPP office, Jakarta, on Tuesday (10/3/2020).

In addition to the Gerindra-PKB alliance, three other parties, namely the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), and the United Development Party (PPP), have also established the United Indonesian Coalition (KIB).

Although many parties had joined or formed alliances, Populi Center researcher Rafif Pamenang Imawan was of the view that the existing alliances could still change. This could occur if the political parties did not reach an agreement on the alliance’s presidential and vice presidential candidates. In addition, the “political safari” of the PDI-P’s Puan could also influence the map of alliances that had been formed, because the PDI-P was currently the ruling party.

Specifically regarding the possibility of an alliance between the PDI-P and the PKB, Rafif noted that the two parties needed each other. "The PDI-P needs a bridge to enter the Islamic world, and the Islamic world needs a nationalist narrative," he said. (BOW)

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi)